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Wankhede may undergo digging again

Wankhede Stadium may have to be dug up again to repair dilapidated drainage pipes.

Mumbai: The turf at the Wankhede Stadium, which underwent massive refurbishment costing Rs 300 crore before the World Cup, may have to be dug up again to repair dilapidated drainage pipes, according to Mumbai Municipal authorities.

"In August 2010, we had brought to the notice of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) about the dilapidated drainage line that is underneath the stadium. Then again in January and April this year we had written a letter to them to carry out repair work before the onset of monsoon," Storm Water Drains (SWD), Chief Engineer, L S Vhatkar told PTI.

"But the MCA did not repair the drainage line under the stadium saying that they have World Cup and IPL matches (that followed the mega event) to host," Vhatkar said.

It may be recalled that the revamped Wankhede stadium, venue of the 2011 World Cup final, had come under the scanner of Mumbai Fire Brigade for not following the fire safety mechanism.

In its last letter dated April, 24, 2011, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had said that during its site visit on April 6, it had observed that the work of box drain of 1.5 m in width and 2 m in height in lieu of the existing drain had not been carried out.

"You are aware that the monsoon is approaching fast, hence it is necessary to carry out the work of box drain at the earliest to abate flooding. While issuing part completion certificate for SWD work you have submitted motorized undertaking that you shall complete the remaining SWD work before the onset of monsoon 2011," the letter stated.

The BMC in its letter had further said that, "if flooding occurs due to non-completion of work of box drain, then you will be held responsible for flooding."

Wankhede stadium went into the renovation mode soon after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on June 1, 2008.

"The MCA will have to repair the old dilapidated drainage line below the stadium. They will have to excavate parts of the ground where the drain is located. They will have to spend lakhs of rupees and it will take two-three months to complete the work," an official from the SWD department said on condition of anonymity.

However, the repair work may not be possible as the stadium, which organised the Cup final on April 2, is set to play host to a One-day International between India and England in October followed by a Test match against the West Indies.

"There could be water logging at Churchgate and the M K Road if the drainage system collapses during monsoon. The line cannot be repaired during monsoon as concrete work will be spoilt due to rains. Now they will have to start the work after monsoon," Vhatkar said.

While MCA Vice-President, Prof Ratnakar Shetty, said, that the issue "is between the MCA and BMC and it was not a matter for public discussion", joint secretary Nitin Dalal said the association "would cooperate" with the BMC authorities in solving the issue.